Chapter 2
Lucinda tried to cry.
That was the first thing she did.
Not apologize.
Not ask if Ruby was hurt.
Not look at the child she had just watched fall.
She pressed one hand to her chest and let tears fill her eyes.
“Salvatore,” she whispered, “everyone is staring.”
I almost laughed.
My daughter was trembling in my arms, and Lucinda was worried about the room.
“Good,” I said.
Her tears stopped.
“Let them stare.”
Around us, the birthday guests stood frozen beside pink balloons, untouched cake, and gift boxes wrapped in gold ribbon. This was supposed to be Ruby’s happiest day since the accident.
Lucinda had turned it into proof.
I looked at Marco.
“Call Dr. Bell. Tell him to come now.”
“Yes, boss.”
“And call my attorney.”
Lucinda stepped closer.
“Attorney?”
I turned my body so Ruby was away from her.
Lucinda saw it.
The small movement.
The wall I had become.
Her face tightened.
“You can’t seriously be doing this over a misunderstanding.”
Ruby whimpered.
I looked down.
“What did she say to you when she took the brace?” I asked softly.
Ruby shook her head.
“It’s okay,” I said. “Daddy’s here.”
Her mouth trembled.
“She said if I told you, you would send me away because I was too much trouble.”
A sound moved through the room.
Not loud.
Worse.
A shared breath of horror.
Lucinda’s mask slipped.
Only for one second.
“Ruby exaggerates,” she said.
I turned toward her.
“Say that again.”
She stepped back.
I could feel the old version of myself rising, the man who built his life from fear, loyalty, and consequence. But Ruby’s arms tightened around my neck, and I remembered what mattered.
Not revenge first.
Protection first.
I carried Ruby out of the ballroom.
Behind me, Lucinda called my name.
I did not answer.
In the private sitting room, I sat Ruby on the sofa and knelt in front of her.
“Look at me, princess.”
Her wet eyes met mine.
“You are not trouble.”
She blinked.
“You are not too much.”
Her chin shook.
“And nobody will ever send you away from me.”
She broke then.
A deep, broken little cry.
I held her while Dr. Bell arrived, while Marco stood at the door, while my attorney’s voice came through the phone asking calm questions that made my stomach twist.
How long had it happened?
Were there recordings?
Any witnesses?
Had the child disclosed threats?
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Too many yeses.
Dr. Bell checked Ruby’s leg carefully. His jaw tightened when he saw the swelling.
“She needs rest,” he said. “And she needs to be kept away from whoever did this.”
“She will be,” I said.
From the hallway came Lucinda’s voice.
“Salvatore, I need to speak to you.”
Ruby grabbed my sleeve.
My decision became simple.
I looked at Marco.
“Remove Lucinda from this house.”
Lucinda heard me.
May you like
The hallway went silent.
Then she screamed.
